Hi All,
Hope this is ok to post here, I have a Roland GX-500 which I find to be a great machine (had a cheap chinese plotter before which served a purpose but if I knew the difference Id have bought a Roland from day 1). I have recently replaced the cutting strip and keep an eye on the blades regular. I noticed it could do with a clean up and possibly regrease in places like the runners for the Blade carriage but dont want to mess about with it as I wouldnt really know where to start and dont want to ruin a good machine. I would have liked to have it done by roland but the prices I was quoted seemed a bit steep and have to take out an extended warranty but the machine would have to be checked first etc which just works out too much for me as I use it from home as I am just a novice user.
Just hoping someone could recommend someone that could give it a service as dont want anyone else that doesnt know what there doing playing around with it preferrably someone in the bristol / bath area
Thanks

You don’t need to grease any rails, especially the ones with plastic wheels. Just keep them clean and you’re good.

When replacing the cutting stip make sure to remove all old glue residue first.

Blade holder maintenance is also easy but needs to be done. Every time you get a new blade, remove the depth regulator nose, blow the dust out of it, also pick the dust from the bottom bearing with a finger (just touching will do as long as no dust enters the blade hole, all loose dust will stick to your skin). Then dip the new blade’s cone tip in lithium grease (actually any bearing grease will do) by 1 mm only, not more. Then insert the blade so the grease remains on the tip. This will keep the top bearing healthy for a long time.

Hi mrtn,
The rails are what started to concern me as they are quite dirty / dusty but when I went to clean the top one it seems to be greased under the dust which I thought was odd but as I said I'm unsure so didn't want to clean it off and cause issues.
I managed to do the cutting strip with no issues as with most things preperation is key.
Appreciate all the advice especially on the rails and the blade holder with the grease as was thinking of replacing it soon.
I find wd40 better for cleaning stuff would never use it as a lubricant but good advice as a lot of people don't realise that.
Was also unsure if the workings and bearings for the main roller need changing or servicing and if the cable that moves the blade carriage needs maintenance (reminds me of an electric window regulator on a car which are known for failing)
Thank you

WD-40 and AC90 its better twin (different companies - similar product) are excellent at cleaning everything from sticky residues, to oily machines, greased up machines etc. We used to use them on large machining centres for cleaning cast iron and oil residues off tables etc. As said, terrible lubricant but great for also freeing seized parts as its very thin.

Hi PhillyDee (also thanks for the welcome message)
Cant say Ive tried AC90 but GT85 with ptfe is another good one. Also really surprised at what isopropyl alcohol shifts great stuff.
Thats an impressive list of machines your running, how do you find the Roland BN20 ? Keep wanting to invest in a printer but would be a big investment for me and the more I read about problems people have with them the more it puts me off, especially seen as the printhead alone for a BN20 looks to be £1500 plus. Keep looking at those and VS300v or SP300v.

It’s a BN-20, they only come in one configuration. Actually most of the work on this particular unit was done by my colleague who is also present in this forum as Ragnarök. We’re both Roland service engineers so for us it’s not too bad to work on, but more work compared to bigger machines where there’s more room and less unscrewing to do. We only did the refurb work for reselling the machine.

The BN-20 was an impulse purchase as my business is supplying crafters and blanks from Acrylic. the BN-20 is woefully underused as I just have been so busy since it was purchased. It was always meant to test the waters (it was second hand but came with a brand new print head installed from Roland UK!) before looking at a more serious machine.

Yeah, Lasers are great fun . The trotecs are just the best of the bunch really, but hard to justify when just cutting making blanks.... It has its place, as do the printers. When it comes to engraving: speed, 3550mm/s compared to 400 on the HPCs is just not even comparable.

Ive been leaning more towards a sp300v or sp300i (cant see much difference between them apart from the sp300i is the newer model if im not mistaken?
Like the look of cnc, laser and 3d printers but think i need to walk before I can run as anything I have learnt how to do I have learnt from research online and trial and error